Expository writing is a kind of writing that’s used to inform. It’s the type of writing students will use most often, both in school and in the working world.
This set of expository essay prompts for high school students uses engaging topics to help teens practice their informative writing skills. Invite your homeschoolers to write about high-stress occupations, the mark of a true leader, or the influence of a personal object.
1. Danger!
Firefighters, airline pilots, and newspaper reporters work in some of the highest-stress jobs. Logging, ranching, and roofing are among the 10 most dangerous occupations. And not surprisingly, athletes who have chosen careers in in extreme sports really live on the edge!
✏️ Think about an occupation that is considered difficult, demanding, or dangerous. Write an essay explaining why you think this career is one of the most stressful or physically challenging, supporting your position with logic and examples.
2. True Leadership
“Leadership is the art of serving others by equipping them with training, tools and people as well as your time, energy and emotional intelligence so that they can realize their full potential, both personally and professionally.” – Daphne Mallory, family business expert, The Daphne Mallory Company
“Leadership is about three things: To listen, to inspire, and to empower.” – Larry Garfield, president, Garfield Group
“A leader is someone who has the clarity to know the right things to do, the confidence to know when she’s wrong and the courage to do the right things even when they’re hard.” – Darcy Eikenberg, founder, RedCapeRevolution.com
✏️ Write an essay that describes true leadership. Choosing one of the above quotes as your thesis statement, support each claim or main point with facts, examples, and logic.
3. It’s Personal
Personal objects can be meaningful for any number of reasons. Think about one object in your home that has influenced you in an important way. You can write about something you use or interact with on a regular basis (a journal, a photo, your cell phone, a pair of running shoes) or something you don’t use or handle much at all (a certain book, your dad’s fishing rod, a letter from your grandfather).
✏️ Write an essay explaining how this item has affected, inspired, or transformed you.
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